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Overview

"An ode to excellence. An inspiring read for every American." —Robert M. Gates

An extraordinary journey behind the scenes of Arlington National Cemetery, Senator Tom Cotton’s Sacred Duty offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of “The Old Guard,” the revered U.S. Army unit whose mission is to honor our country’s fallen heroes on the most hallowed ground in America.

Cotton was a platoon leader with the storied 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment—The Old Guard—between combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the height of the Iraq Surge, he carried the flag-draped remains of his fallen comrades off of airplanes at Dover Air Force Base, and he laid them to rest in Arlington’s famed Section 60, “the saddest acre in America.” He also performed hundreds of funerals for veterans of the Greatest Generation, as well as the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

The Old Guard has embodied the ideals of honor and sacrifice across our nation’s history. America’s oldest active-duty regiment, dating back to 1784, The Old Guard conducts daily military-honor funerals on the 624 rolling acres of Arlington, where generations of American heroes rest. Its soldiers hold themselves to the standard of perfection in sweltering heat, frigid cold, and driving rain. Every funeral is a no-fail, zero-defect mission, whether honoring a legendary general or a humble private.

In researching and writing the book, Cotton returned to Arlington and shadowed the regiment’s soldiers, from daily funerals to the state funeral of President George H. W. Bush to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, reliving the honor—and the challenges—of duty at the nation’s “most sacred shrine.”

Part history of The Old Guard, part memoir of Cotton’s time at Arlington, part intimate profile of the today’s soldiers, Sacred Duty is an unforgettable testament to the timeless power of service and sacrifice to our nation.

About the Author

Tom Cotton is a United States Senator from Arkansas. He served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division and in Afghanistan with a Provincial Reconstruction Team. Between combat tours, he served with the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”) at Arlington National Cemetery. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He served one term in the House of Representatives before election to the Senate. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Tom is married to Anna and they have two sons, Gabriel and Daniel.

Editorial Reviews

12/01/2018

U.S. Senator Cotton (R-AR) chronicles Arlington National Cemetery's Old Guard, the U.S. Army's official ceremonial unit, dating from 1784 and performing duties such as standing guard at soldiers' funerals. With a 150,000-copy first printing.

Library Journal

04/22/2019

In this meticulous history, Arkansas senator Cotton explains the role and duties of the Third Infantry Regiment, aka the Old Guard, at Arlington National Cemetery. For several months in 2007, after serving a tour of duty in Iraq, Cotton was a member of the regiment, which was established in 1784 to honor the “memory of our nation’s fallen heroes” and now conducts ceremonies, escorts the president, and maintains a round-the-clock vigil at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Visitors have observed the unique appearance and requirements of members of the Old Guard: a colonial-era uniform complete with wig, unusual marching style, above-average height (Cotton is 6’5”), and “standing proficiency”—they must be able to regularly stand absolutely still for 75 minutes. Cotton writes in depth about Section 60 of the cemetery, the “newest and most active burial area,” which is allocated to those killed in Iran and Afghanistan; during Cotton’s time in the regiment, 11 of 85 soldiers killed were laid to rest there. He recalls mourners in large processions wracked with “the anguish of losing a loved one just a few days earlier,” including comrades from his tour in Iraq. This reverent account will please readers of military history. Agent: Keith Urbahn, Javelin. (May)

Publishers Weekly

A wonderful book about Arlington National Cemetery and the men and women who serve with such love and devotion.

DONALD J. TRUMP

Sacred Duty deserves a wide readership. ... Well-crafted. ... Reveals the ethos that connects warriors to one another and to the citizens in whose name they fight.

H.R . McMASTER

A moving, reverent historya tribute, reallyto ‘The Old Guard’ … An ode to excellence and caring in service to the nation. It is an inspiring read for every American.

ROBERT M. GATES

Sacred Duty deserves a wide readership. ... Well-crafted. ... Reveals the ethos that connects warriors to one another and to the citizens in whose name they fight.

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